An Overtly Racist Description of Washington City and Region in 1862

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Union soldier's war-date letter, 3 1/2pp. 4to., written by Pvt. Marcus Walker, Co. E, 141st New York Vols., "Marlborough, [Marlboro, Maryland] Oct. 5, 1862," to his parents, reading in part: "-we are at a place called Marlborough a[re] living in the crowd house. I don't know how long we will stay here, but I guess till after the draft, the 15th of October. I was at a Nigger Dance last night and of all the dancing I ever saw they took the ray of the bush. They was dressed right up to the handle. White dresses with low necks trimmed with red ribbon. I tell you you don't see such thin gals up North - we expected to have a brush before we got here but it was all quiet when we arrived. There was 12 prisoners brake jail here the first night we was here and there was 20 prisoners fetched in this morning for starting to runaway, Niggers of course for there is not much else down here. There is 50 of our company here. We have been called up two nights to put on our cartridge box and fall in line as quick as possible - but it proved false and did not give us a chance to shoot a Rebel - it was some Union soldiers come down here from Baltimore for the same purpose that we did. The next time there was a squad of men sen in the street and we fell in and the captain and six men with him started - they came back - and said that there was a company of rebels across the bridge - sent another squad of men out and they came back with the news that it was a lot of Niggers had been to town and got tight [drunk] - I felt as though I wanted to shoot my little Enfield at some of the rebels. This country is 60 years behind York state. They will have 4 horses before most every wagon an old Dutch harness and ride one of the horses - they will have 3 yoke of oxen before a cart and not hardly anything in it. I have seen the darkys ride one ox and drive the rest. The buildings here is very poor ad there is not much business done here now - Marcus Walker, Washington D. C., 141 Regt. N. Y. V. Capt. [William K.] Logie, [KIA Peach Tree Creek, Ga., 7/20/64] Co. E." Also included is the original stamped transmittal cover. Minor soiling, else VG.

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